Congo Brazzaville : pictures
Congo Brazzaville : Discover
A wild land in the heart of the Congo Basin, Congo has been inhabited since prehistoric times by the Akas, who were later joined by the Bantu ethnic group. The Portuguese arrived and set up the slave trade, followed by Savorgnan de Brazza, who convinced the kingdom to join forces with the French. Private companies shared the country and mistreated the local population. The affair caused a scandal before Congo gained its independence in 1960. From then on, politicians fought for power until civil wars broke out. Since the late 1990s, the country has been trying to recover with an economy based mainly on oil and timber. Although the Congo boasts an exceptional natural environment, tourists are still few and far between, due to high prices and poorly-developed infrastructure. Aware of its natural assets, the country wishes to turn to ecotourism and involve local populations.
